Promising plans and practical use of ICT in education: Sub-Saharan Africa perspectives

Abstract

Introduction. Information and communication technologies (ICT) in the field of education have become indispensable for many countries. Digital transformation of school has conquered the minds of many educationists in Sub-Saharan Africa which long suffered from low attendance rates and lack of qualified teachers. This is a developing region with unstable educational opportunities and ICT use is believed to be a central form solution for the future effective functioning of learning programmes. Materials and methods. General scientific theoretical methods and comparative analysis were used to analyze actual statistical data, take insight into existing online learning platforms, expert's accounts. Results. Both the general problems of ICT application in education and its functioning in the context of national educational systems in such countries as Uganda and Kenya were analyzed. Unique evidence from this rapidly developing region underscores the need of a balanced and comprehensive approach to the strategies of the digital education reforms at school. Ñonclusions. ICT introduction risks not to be an effective factor in the management of educational process without taking into account behavioral and sociocultural context as well as without thorough development of all levels of educational system. Though the article is addressed to the experts in the field of education and African studies, it will be of considerable interest to all practitioners concerned with the implementation of ICT in teaching practice.